LAF Olmsted Scholars: Ready to Act on the New Landscape Declaration, Part 4

Inspired by LAF’s 2016 Summit on Landscape Architecture and the Future and the New Landscape Declaration, a group of ten Olmsted Scholars developed their own response focused on moving forward with deliberate actions to meet the ambitions set forth in the Declaration’s four calls to action.

Through a series of blog posts, we are showcasing their action plans. Over the course of the past few months, we’ve introduced Action 1, Action 2, and Action 3. Today, we conclude with Action 4:

ACT NOW

• Partner with an academic institution and a professional office to implement a research project.
• Implement a short/medium-term demonstration project to create knowledge and showcase effectiveness for long-term change.
• Experiment with innovative tools and technology.
• Become your own client. Support in-office research to proactively identify issues that can be solved with landscape architectural services.

PLAN NOW

• Establish metrics to prove the environmental and cultural value of ecosystem services.
• Expand funding sources for cross-disciplinary knowledge-building in both academic and professional practice.
• Require ecosystem services, environmental justice, and research experience as requirements for ASLA membership and/or licensure.
• Advance the integration of sustainable techniques and culture in our practices. Divest from fossil fuels and offset CO2 footprints.
• Evaluate existing project delivery methods and test new platforms.

You can download a PDF copy of the full The Olmsted Scholar Agenda: from Declaration to Action, which includes all four action plans and corresponding precedents for reference and inspiration. The document is a framework for a more detailed action strategy that can be used to inspire, direct, and hold us all accountable. It is not intended to be comprehensive, but rather to be the beginning of a larger dialogue to address the concerns and hopes stated in the New Landscape Declaration.

As 2017 comes to a close, please take a few minutes to review and reflect on which calls to action resonate with you.

What is your action plan for 2018?

Thank you Olmsted Scholars for your leadership and inspiration! The Olmsted Scholars who contributed to this effort are: Leann Andrews (2013 National Olmsted Scholar), Andrew Bailey (2014 Olmsted Scholar), Zach Barker (2013 Olmsted Scholar Finalist), Marin Braco (2012 Olmsted Scholar Finalist), Nina Chase (2009 Olmsted Scholar), Kim Dietzel (2015 Olmsted Scholar), Karl Krause (2008 Olmsted Scholar), Tim Mollette-Parks (2009 Olmsted Scholar), Andrew Sargeant (2016 Olmsted Scholar), and Nate Wooten (2016 Olmsted Scholar).

LAF’s Olmsted Scholars Program recognizes and supports landscape architecture students with exceptional leadership potential who are using ideas, influence, communication, service, and leadership to advance sustainable design and foster human and societal benefits.